In a coordinated effort to combat unlicensed gambling operations across Florida, law enforcement agencies have intensified their crackdown, resulting in multiple arrests and the seizure of hundreds of illegal gambling machines. The recent operation in Sarasota County represents just one component of Florida’s broader campaign to eliminate unlawful gambling establishments that have proliferated throughout the state.
Sarasota County Enforcement Operation Leads to Multiple Arrests
A nearly year-long investigation culminated in the arrest of five individuals connected to illegal gambling operations in Sarasota County in early March 2025. The joint effort between the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) and the Florida Gaming Control Commission (FGCC) began in April 2024 after authorities received numerous complaints about unauthorized gambling activities throughout the county.
The investigation focused on multiple establishments, including the Palms Social Center, where undercover detectives participated in gambling activities and gathered sufficient evidence to secure search and arrest warrants. Law enforcement subsequently apprehended Ciara Boles, 34, and Stivi Breshani, 29, both from Venice; Emily Gill, 26, of Sarasota; Ilir Iskali, 44, from Addison, Illinois; and Christine McCormack, 42, of Port Charlotte.
Sheriff Kurt A. Hoffman emphasized the importance of addressing these operations, stating, “Our agency has received many complaints about these illegal establishments popping up in Sarasota County. This is the first of many steps towards holding them accountable and closing them down”. A sixth suspect, identified as Ilia Lulo, remains at large with an outstanding arrest warrant.
During the execution of the search warrant, authorities seized nearly 60 illegal slot machines from the establishment. The defendants face serious charges including Criminal Enterprise violations under Florida’s Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act, possession of a slot machine, maintaining a gambling establishment, and money laundering.
Ross Marshman, Acting Executive Director of the FGCC, highlighted the risks associated with unregulated gambling operations, noting that “SCSO has made its home safer by targeting those responsible for siphoning away funds from their neighbors with illegal slot machines. These unlawful machines are unregulated and lack any consumer protections”.
Major South Florida Gambling Ring Dismantled in “Operation Fools Treasure”
The Sarasota County arrests follow a significant breakthrough in January 2025 when authorities took down a major gambling ring operating across Florida’s southeast coast. The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office (PBSO) conducted “Operation Fools Treasure,” which resulted in multiple arrests connected to a large-scale illegal gambling and money laundering network.
The PBSO’s Narcotics Division’s Money Laundering unit recovered over $900,000 in cash and seized more than 1,000 illegal slot machines during the operation. Additionally, authorities confiscated three vehicles and two firearms.
The investigation, which began in 2019 but intensified in 2022, identified multiple illegal gambling houses operating Las Vegas-style video slot machines offering cash prizes—a violation of Florida’s gambling laws. These establishments were located in West Palm Beach, Fort Pierce, Vero Beach, and Zephyrhills.
One such location, VIP Sweepstakes in West Palm Beach, was inconspicuously situated in a Publix shopping plaza on Military Trail, between a dentist’s office and a dry cleaner. The gambling den had previously operated under the name Treasure Hunt Arcade.
Court records revealed that multiple businesses, bank accounts, and ATMs within these establishments were used to launder proceeds from the gambling operations. Investigators discovered substantial cash deposits, including more than $763,000 between October 2022 and October 2023.
Among those arrested were Ritesh Patel, 33, and Nova Revez Roffey, 41, who face charges including conspiracy money laundering, keeping a gambling house, conducting an unlawful lottery, and unlawful possession of slot machine devices. Two additional suspects, Eric David Silverstein and Justin Earl Silverstein, were arrested in Miami-Dade County for allegedly providing the illegal slot machines.
Brevard County’s Multi-Facility Raid Yields Substantial Evidence
In August 2024, the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office, in collaboration with the Florida Gaming Control Commission, executed search warrants at four illegal gambling facilities in Cocoa. The operation resulted in the seizure of $288,207 in cash and 158 illegal slot machines, along with 130 pieces of related equipment including televisions, computers, and money counters.
Brevard County Sheriff Wayne expressed gratitude for the partnership with the FGCC, stating:
Through the efforts of our agents, these illegal operations were disrupted, and evidence was collected that will allow us to continue our on-going criminal investigation
Particularly concerning was the discovery that one confiscated slot machine had processed approximately $1.3 million throughout its operational lifespan. Another seized machine had recorded 4,200 games played without awarding a single jackpot to patrons—a stark contrast to legal slot machines in Florida, which are required to pay out at least 85 percent to users.
Governor DeSantis Allocates Funds to Combat Illegal Gambling
Recognizing the growing threat posed by illegal gambling operations, Governor Ron DeSantis has proposed increased funding for enforcement efforts in his “Focus on Fiscal Responsibility Budget” for fiscal year 2025-26, presented in February 2025.
The proposed budget includes $748,000 for technology to fund investigations into illegal gambling operations, $225,000 for additional investigative staff, and $2.1 million for warehouse storage of seized equipment such as slot machines and other evidence required for prosecutions.
Acting Executive Director of the Florida Gaming Control Commission, Ross Marshman, acknowledged the governor’s
support, stating, “The Commission is grateful for Governor DeSantis’ steadfast support to successfully execute the mission and vision for gaming in Florida, including an ongoing strategic focus on combatting illegal gaming activity”.
Earlier Enforcement Efforts Establish Pattern of Compliance
Previous operations demonstrate Florida’s consistent approach to addressing illegal gambling. In June 2023, the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office investigated gambling businesses operating illegal slot machines, identifying 53 such establishments. Deputies delivered cease and desist letters to these businesses, warning owners they could face up to 5 years in prison and fines up to $10,000 per machine for non-compliance.
Approximately 40% of these establishments voluntarily closed following the warnings. For those that remained operational, undercover operations led to enforcement actions, including a raid on Sizzling Sam’s Arcade that resulted in the seizure of 69 gambling machines and more than $52,000 in illegal proceeds.
More recently, in February 2025, Tampa Police arrested three suspects—Marcelino Perez, 67; Charlie Parilla, 32; and Kendrick Franklin, 29—for allegedly operating an illegal gambling house out of All Stars Tampa Domino Club. The investigation began in December 2023 when undercover detectives conducted surveillance and placed multiple bets on various sports games.
Florida’s Legal Framework for Gambling
Under Florida law, gaming activities are strictly regulated, with slot machines legal only in limited pari-mutuel facilities in Miami-Dade and Broward counties, as well as facilities operated by the Seminole Tribe of Florida.
Lou Trombetta, Executive Director of the Florida Gaming Control Commission, emphasized that:
Unlawful, unregulated gambling at illegal gambling facilities have no guarantees of fair play, provide absolutely zero consumer protections, pay no state tax on their revenue, and offer no recourse if an operator refuses to pay out.
As Florida authorities continue their campaign against illegal gambling operations, they remain committed to enforcing the state’s gambling laws and protecting consumers from unregulated and potentially exploitative gambling establishments. With increased funding, inter-agency collaboration, and public awareness, officials express confidence in their ability to significantly reduce the prevalence of these illegal operations in the coming years.